Man will face trial in killing of roommate at Bethlehem home for residents with mental illness

When Bethlehem police arrived at a Fillmore Street home on Jan. 4 after a breathless 911 call, officers found a trail of blood that appeared to show a fierce struggle.

They also found a blood-covered Emanuel Cotto, who told police he had killed his roommate and then threatened to kill them. Inside the home he shared with two other men, police found shards of shattered glass and the blood trail that led to the body of Michael Weadock.

Authorities testified Monday that Weadock had 32 stab wounds, including defensive wounds on his arms and hands, and deep cuts to his throat. Cotto was wearing an empty knife sheath and told officers, "My roommate is in the living room, but he is not alive, I took him out," authorities say.

After hearing testimony, District Judge Nancy Matos Gonzalez ordered Cotto to face trial in Northampton County Court. Both men lived together at a group home for residents suffering from mental illnesses, authorities say.

Cotto, 25, has been ruled competent to face trial and remains in prison without bail.

Matos Gonzalez said the evidence presented Monday was compelling.

"The testimony on the record certainly can give you the vision of gruesome horror scene, but it's not a horror scene," Matos Gonzalez said. "It's a loss of human life."

Authorities said they are investigating how Cotto came to the area. In 2010, Cotto was charged with shooting and wounding a police officer in the Virgin Islands, but police said the disposition of that case is unclear. Assistant District Attorney Richard Pepper declined to comment Monday on the 2010 case.

Police testified that Cotto used his cellphone to call 911 and "appeared to be out of breath," saying he had killed his roommate, Det.Fabian Martinez testified.

Officer Ryan Ellis said when he arrived, Cotto was wearing a blood-stained T-shirt and the empty knife sheath.

"He told us the roommate was inside in the living room, but he wasn't alive," Ellis testified.

Martinez testified he saw broken glass in the kitchen and blood soaking the floor and sofa inside the living room. He said Weadock, 57, was lying on top of several pieces of pipes that looked similar to chimes found in a clock.

Coroner Zachary Lysek said Weadock had 32 knife wounds that included cuts on his arms and hands while trying to stop the attack.

Two women who appeared in court and waved at Cotto declined comment after Monday's hearing. Cotto's attorney, Robert Eyer, also declined comment.